Buffer and draft gear



J. E. GRAHAM BUFFER AND DRAFT GEAR Filedoct. 3.0, 1945 sheewsneei 1 C,"it/19 IN1 {N TOR. JOHN @GRAHAM HIS TTORNEV @Si w45. .5. E. GRAHAM2,468,925

BUFFER AND DRAFT GEAR Filed Oct. 10, 1945 5 Sheets-Shelet 2 INVENTUR.JOHN El. Gnfl @s 36 .1a. E. GRAHAM 2,408,925

BUFFER AND DRAFT GEAR Filed oet. 1o', 1945 s sheets-sheet s IN1/EV TOR.

.JQHN E. GRAHAM A* HIS ORNEY Patented Oct. 8, 1946 BUFFER AND DRAFT GEARJohn E. Graham, Huntington, W. Va., assigner to The Watt Car & WheelCompany, Barnesville, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October10, 1945, Serial No. 621,526

12 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in buffer and draft gear and has todo, more particularly, with improvements in a buffer and draft gear thatis especially suitable for use on mine cars.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a buffer and draftgear, which is especially suitable for use on a mine car, and which,though of strong and sturdy construction, is comparatively simple andeconomical to manufacture and assemble.

A further object of my invention is to provide a buffer and draft gearfor mine cars, of such nature that the parts thereof may be readilyassembled in operative relation upon the end sill of the mine car.

Another object of my invention is t provide a buffer and draft gearconstruction, of such nature that the parts may be readily disassembled,without the use of special tools or skills, in case the repair orreplacement of any part becomes necessary.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction andeconomies of operation, will definitely appear from the detaileddescription to follow. In one instance, I have accomplished the objectsof my invention by the devices and means described in the followingspecification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in theappended claims. A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of myinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a View in front elevation of a buffer and draft gear embodyingmy invention.

Fig, 2 is a bottom plan view of the buffer and draft gear.

Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the buifer and draft gear,taken on the line 4-12 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a Vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a View of the draft element in front elevation.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the draft element and Fig. 8 is a viewof the draft element in side elevation.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same partsthroughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the numbered parts of the drawings, my improved buffer anddraft gear is to be mounted on the end sill I0 of a mine car. A housingis secured to this end sill, which is made up of a pair of channelswelded in endwise relationship to said end sill. The anges I2 and I3 ofthese channels extend toward each other and form the top and bottomwalls of the housing, but the channels are so spaced apart that theedges of said flanges are separated, thus forming openings in the topand bottom of the housing walls. The end sill I0 forms the rear wall ofthe housing, the bases I I of the channels form the side walls of thehousing, the top flanges I2 of the channels form the top wall of thehousing, and the bottom flanges I3 of the channels form the bottom wallof the housing. The front end of this housing is open.

A draft element is slidably mounted within the housing and includes afiat plate I4, which is adapted to engage the front face of the sill II)and the lower edge of which is slidably mounted on the flanges I3forming the bottom wall of the housing. A pair of flanges I5 are securedto the plate I4, in edgewise relationship, and extend forwardlytherefrom in vertically spaced relationship. These anges, as shown inFig. 6, extend the full length of the plate I4. A pair of horizontallyspaced brackets I5 are applied to the upper edge of the plate I4 and tothe uppermost flange I5 and secured thereto, eachbracket having ashoulder I'I adapted to engage the upper corner of the plate I4. Thesebrackets I6 extend upwardly through the opening in the top wall of thehousing, formed by the spacing of flanges I2. A bitching arm I8 isapplied to and welded to the upper ends of the brackets I6, and isarranged centrally of the structure, and said hitching arm extendsforwardly parallel to the top wall of the housing. This arm I8 has ahole I9 therein, adapted to receive a coupling pin. It is spaced fromthe top wall of the housing sufficiently to receive a coupling linkbetween said top wall and said hitching arm. Straps 20 are fastened tothe flanges i 5 and extend forwardly therefrom, said straps beingarranged centrally of the structure. The forward portions of thesestraps are bent toward each other, at 2l, and the foremost portions ofthe straps are secured together to form a hitching tongue 22, which liesin the horizontal plane midway between the flanges I5. This hitchingtongue has a hole 23 therein, in line with the hole I3 of the hitchingarm, and adapted to receive the lower end of the coupling pin.

A buffer element is slidably mounted in the 3 housing and projects fromthe open front end thereof, and this buffer element comprises a convexfront face 24 and the upper and lower rearwardly-extending flanges 25.It is to be noted that this buffer element is substantially a channelmember, of which the front face 24 constitutes the base. Plates 23 aremounted within this channel member, adjacent the ends thereof, andrigidly secured thereto, and said plates :29 extend rearwardly beyondthe rear edges of flanges 25. rIhese rearwardly-extending portions ofthe plates have elongated, rectangular slots 2T therein. The bufferelement is slidably mounted on the bottom wall of the housing, its lowerange 25 beingin engagement with and supported thereby, and the plates 2Bextend rearwardly parallel to the side walls I I of the housing. Whenthe partsare assembled, the bitching tongue 22 extends into the bufferelement, midway between the top and'bottom flanges thereof. Elongatedslots 28 are provided in the top and bottom flanges -25 of the bufferelement, to permit thepassage of the coupling pin.

'Pads 25 are secured to the innersurface of the front face 24 of thebuffer element, and support rings 30, which enter the front ends ofcompression springs 3 I, arranged one on either side ofthe hitchingtongue -22 and interposed between the pads 29 and-the front edges of theflanges I5. A square locking bar'33, having a head 34, extends throughsquare holes 32 in the side walls II of the housing, through 'theslots21 in the plates'26 ofthe buffer element, and in front of the plate I4and between the flanges I5 of'said draft element. The washer 35 isapplied between the head 34 of the locking bar and the adjacent sidewall II of the housing, and another washer 35 is applied on the otherend of the locking bar, engaging the sidewall I Iand being held inposition by a cotter pin passed through the hole 36 in the projectingend'of said bar. When the parts are in the relative positions shown inFigf, the `forwardface of the locking bar 33 is in line Vwith theforward edges of flanges I5 and, under such circumstances, the rear endsof thecompression springs 3I seat on the front face of the locking bar,`as well Vas on the front edges of said flanges.

The operation of this buffer and draft gear should be quite apparentfrom the foregoing description, Ibut I will describe it briefly, at thispoint. When the apparatus is in buff, pressure is applied to the face240i the buffer element acting rearwardly, that is, in the direction ofthe end sillI. Rearward movement of the draftelement is limitedby'engagement ofthe plate I4 with the frontvface'of'the end sill, sothat the front edges of the flanges I5 'form seats, against which thesprings 3I are compressed by rearward movement of thebuifer element,which rearward/movement is limited to that permitted by the engagementof the-lockingybar 33, xedto the housing, in the elongated slots Y2l ofplates '28 of the buffer element. iA pull on a coupling link, locatedbetween the hitching arm I8 and the top wall I2 of the housing andthrough which a coupling pin receivedin the holes I9 and 23 passes,applies draft to thedraft element, which tends to move it forwardlyin'the'housing, that is, `away from the end sill I0. This tends to .movethe buffer element 24 .outwardly inthe housing, but such outwardmovementof .the bufferelement is limited'by the engagement of the rearends of slots 21 with the rear face of the locking bar.33, so that thesprings 3| yieldingly oppose this draft movement of the draft element.Forward movement of the draft can then he inserted in position withinthis housing.

The compression springs can then be inserted withtheir rear ends seatedon the forward .edges of anges I5, and, then, the huier element .caribeslidinto position in the housing, with the rings '39 centered in theforward ends of the springs 3l. and temporarily held in such positionthat the slots 27 'are in line with the holes 32 in the sidewalls of thehousing. The locking bar 33 can then be inserted and this holds theparts together. The parts can be quickly disassembled byfremoving thecotter pin from hole 36 and driving ont the lockingbar 33, the removalof which permits the parts of this buffer and draft gear to be removed.

I am aware that the particular buffer and draft gear constructionillustrated hereinis susceptible of considerable variation withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention and, therefore, I claim myinvention broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sillof a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill, and having an open front end; a draft element slidably mounted insaid housing, in front of said end sill; a buffer element slidablymounted in said housing, and projecting from the open front end thereof,said buffer element having side walls with elongated openings therein;compression springs interposed between said draft clement and saidbuffer element and tending to project said buffer element from saidhousing; and a longitudinally removable locking bar carried by saidhousing, and extending 4transversely to the line of draft and parallelto `said end sill at a fixed .distance therefrom, said bar passingthroughsaid elongated openings in the buffer side walls, and in front ofsaid draft element, and serving to limit movement of said buffer elementunder'both buff and draft and movement of said draft element underdraft, movement of the latter under buff being'limited by itsengagementwith said endrsill.

2. A buffer and draft gear comprising the coinbination with the end sillof a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill, and having an open front end; a draft element'slidably mounted insaid housing, in front of said end sill; a buffer element slidablymounted in said housing, `and projecting from the open front endthereof, said buffer element including a channel member having alongitudinally-curved base constituting the convex front end of thebuffer element, and rearwardly extending flanges forming the top andbottom walls of said buffer elementl and plates secured in said channelat the ends thereof and extending rearwardly therefrom to form the sideWalls of said buffer element. said plates having aligned, elongatedopenings therein; compression springs interposed between ksaid draftelement and the base of said buffer channel and tending to project saidbuffer element from said housing; and a longitudinally removable lockingbar carried by said housing, and extending transversely to the line ofdraft and parallel to said end sill at a fixed distance therefrom, saidbar passing through said elongated openings in the plates of said bufferelement and in front of said draft element, and serving to limitmovement of said buffer element under both buff and draft and movementof said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buffbeing limited by its engagement with said end sill.

3. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sillof a car, of a pair of channel members secured to said end sill inendwise relation thereto, Said channel members being spaced apart onopposite sides of the line of draft, with their flanges extending towardeach other and their uppermost flanges spaced apart to provide anopening therebetween, said channel members and end sill forming ahousing, the rear wall of which is said end sill, the side walls ofwhich are the bases of said channel members, and the top and bottomwalls of which are the flanges of said channels; a draft elementslidably mounted in said housing in front of said end sill, and having ahitching portion extending through the opening provided by the spacingof said iianges; a buffer element slidably mounted in said housing, andprojecting from the open front end thereof, said buffer element havingside walls with elongated openings therein; compression springsinterposed between said draft element and said buffer element andtending to project said buffer element from said housing; and alongitudinally removable looking bar carried by said housing, andextending transversely to the line of draft and parallel to said endsill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing through openings inthe bases of said channels, through said elongated openings in thebuffer side walls, and in front of said draft element, and serving tolimit movement of said buffer element under both buff and draft andmovement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter underbuff, being limited by its engagement with said end sill.

4. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sillof a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill, and having an open front end and a top wall with alongitudinally-extending opening therein; a draft element slidablymounted on the bottom wall of said housing in front of said end sill,and having a hitching portion extending upwardly through said opening inthe top wall of said housing and forwardly in spaced relation to andparallel to said top wall; a buffer element slidably mounted on thebottom wall of said housing and projecting from the open front endthereof, said buffer element having spaced, rearwardly-extendingportions provided with elongated openings therein; compression springsinterposed between said draft element and said buffer element andtending to project the latter from said housing; and a longitudinallyremovable locking bar carried by said housing, and extendingtransversely to the line of draft and parallel to said end sill at afixed distance therefrom, said bar passing through said elongatedopenings in the bufferelement and in front of said draft element, andserving to limit movement of said buffer element under both buff anddraft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of thelatter under buff being limited by its engagement with said end sill.

5. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sillof a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill, and having top and bottom walls and an open front end, said topWall having a longitudinally-extending opening centrally thereof; adraft element including a fiat plate adapted to engage said end sill,and with its lower edge slidable on the bottom wall of said housing, anda hitching portion secured to said plate and extending upwardlytherefrom through the opening in the top wall of said housing; a bufferelement slidably mounted on the bottom wall of said housing, andprojecting from the open front end thereof, said buffer element havingspaced rearwardly-extending portions provided with aligned elongatedopenings; compression springs interposed between said draft element andsaid buffer element and tending to project said buffer element from saidhousing; and a longitudinally removable locking bar carried by saidhousing, and extending transversely of the line of draft and parallel tosaid end sill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing throughsaid elongated openings in the buffer element and in front of said plateof said draft element, and serving to limit movement of said bufferelement under both buff and draft and movement of said draft elementunder draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by theengagement of said plate with said end sill.

6. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sillof a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill and having an open front end; a draft element slidably mounted insaid housing in front of said sill and including a flat plate adapted toengage said end sill, and a pair of spaced flanges secured in edgewiserelation to said plate and extending forwardly therefrom; a bufferelement slidably mounted in said housing and projecting from the openfront end thereof, said buer element having spaced rearwardly-extendingportions provided with aligned elongated openings therein; compressionsprings interposed between said flanges of said draft element and saidbuffer element and tending to project said buffer element from saidhousing; and a longitudinally removable locking bar carried by saidhousing, and extending transversely to the line of draft and parallel tosaid end sill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing throughsaid elongated openings in the buffer element, and in front of saidplate and between said fianges 0f the draft element, and serving tolimit movement of said buffer element under both buff and draft andmovement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter underbuff being limited by the engagement of said plate with said end sill.

7. A buer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill ofa car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill and having an open front end, a bottom wall and a top wall having alongitudinally-extending central opening therein; a draft elementincluding a flat plate adapted to engage said end sill and having itslower edge slidable upon the bottom wall of said housing, a pair offlanges secured to the front face of said plate in edgewise relation andextending forwardly therefrom, and a, hitching portion secured to theupper portion of said plate and the uppermost of said fianges andextending upwardly through the opening in said top wall and forwardlyparallel to said top wall; .a :buffer element slidably mounted on 'the'bottom' wall of-said'housing and'projectingfrom the open front endthereof, said buffer element having spaced portions extending rearwardlyand provided'wtih aligned elongated openings; compression springsinterposed between said buffer element and the front edges of saidflanges and tending to project said buffer element from said housing;and alongitudinally removable locking .bar carried by said housing andextending transversely to the line of draft and parallel to said endsill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing through saidelongated openings in the 'buffer element, and in front of the plate ofsaid .draft element and between said flangesand servingtollimit movementof said buffer element under both buff and draft and movement of saiddraft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff beinglimited by the engagement ofsaid plate with said end sill.

-8. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sillof a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill and having an open front end, a bottom wall and a top wall providedwith a longitudinally-extending central opening therein; a draft:element including a flat plate adapted to engage said end sill andmounted in said housing with its lower edge slidable upon the bottomwall thereof, a pair of spaced flanges secured to said plate in edgewiserelation and extending forwardly therefrom, a, pair of brackets securedto the upper portion of said plate and the uppermost of said flanges andextending upwardly in spaced relation through the opening in the topwall of said housing, a hitching arm secured to said brackets andextending forwardly therefrom parallel to the top rwall of said housing,said hitching arm having a hole therein adapted to receive a couplingpin, and a pair of straps secured to said flanges and extendingforwardly therefrom, the forward portions of said straps being benttoward each other and secured together to form a bitching tongue lyingmidway between the top and bottom Walls of the housing,

Ysaid tongue having a hole therethrough in line with the hole in -saidbitching arm and adapted to receive a coupling pin; a buffer elementslidably mounted in said housing and projecting from the open front endthereof, said buffer-element having spaced portions extending rearwardlyand provided with aligned elongated openings; `compression springs, oneon either side of the hitching tongue, interposed between the forwardedges of said flanges and said buffer element, and tending to projectsaid bufferelement from said housing; and a longitudinally removablelocking bar carried by said housing and extending transversely to theline of draft and parallel to said end sill at a fixed distancetherefrom, said bar passing through said elongated openings in thebuffer element and in front of said plate of the draft element andbetweensaid flanges, and serving to limit movement of said bufferelement under both buff and draft and movement of said draft elementunder draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by theengagement of said plate with said end sill.

9. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sillof a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill, and having an open front end; a draft element slidably-mounted insaidfhousing in front of-said end sill, `and including a ilatplateadapted to engage the front face of said end sill, and 'a pair offlanges secured in spaced, edgewise relation to saidplate'and extendingforwardlytherefrom; a buffer element slidably mounted in said housingand projecting from the open frontend thereof; compression springsinterposed between the front edges of said flanges and said bufferelement and tending to project said buffer element from said housing;and a locking'bar carried by said housing and cooperating with saidbuffer and draft elements to limit movement of the buffer element underboth buff and draft and movement of the draft element under draft,movement of the latter under buff being limited .by the engagement ofsaid plate with said end sill.

10. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sillof a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill, and having an open front end, a bottom wall and a top wallprovided with a longitudinally-extending, central opening therein; adraft element including a flat plate in front of said end sill, havingits lower edge slidable on the bottom wall of said housing, a pair offlanges secured to said plate in spaced, edgewise relation and extendingforwardly therefrom, and a hitching portion secured to said plate andthe uppermost of said flanges, and extending upwardly through saidopening in the top wall of said housing and forwardly parallel to saidtop wall; a buffer element slidably mounted on the bottom wall of saidhousing and projecting from the open front end thereof; compressionsprings interposed between the front edges of said flanges and saidbuffer element and tending to project said buffer element from saidhousing; and a locking bar carried by said housing and cooperating withsaid buffer and draft elements to limit movement of said buffer elementunder both buil? and draft and movement of said draft element underdraft, movement lof the latter under buff being limited by engagement ofsaid plate with said end sill.

1l. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sillof a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill and having an open front end, a bottom wall and a top wall having alongitudinally-extending central opening therein; a draft elementincluding a flat plate adapted to engage the front face of said end silland having its lower edge slidable on the bottom wall of said housing, apair of flanges secured to said plate in spaced, edgewise relationthereto and extending forwardly therefrom, a bitching arm secured tosaid plate and extending upwardly through said opening in the top wallof the housing and forwardly parallel to said front wall and providedwith a hole adapted to receive a coupling pin, and a pair of strapssecured to said flanges and extending forwardly therefrom, with theirforward ends bent toward each other and secured together to form ahitching tongue extending midway between the top and bottom walls ofsaid housing-and having a hole therein in line'wth the hole in saidhitching arm and adapted to receive the coupling pin; a buffer elementslidably mounted on the bottom wall of said housing and projecting fromthe open front end thereof; compression springs, one on either side ofsaid tongue, interposed between the front edges of said flanges and saidbuffer element and tending to project said buffer element from saidhousing; and a locking bar carried by said housing and cooperating withsaid buffer and draft elements to limit movement of said buffer elementunder both buff and draft and movement of said draft element underdraft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by engagement ofsaid plate With said end sill.

12. A buiTer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sillof a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said endsill and having an open front end, a bottom Wall and a top wall having alongitudinally-extending, central opening therein; a draft elementincluding a flat plate adapted to engage the front face of said end silland having its lower edge slidable on the bottom wall of said housing, apair of anges secured to said plate in spaced, edgewise relation andextending forwardly therefrom, a pair of brackets secured to said plateand the uppermost of said anges and eX- tending upwardly through theupper Wall of said housing in spaced relation, a hitching arm secured tosaid brackets and extendingforwardly parallel to the top wall of saidhousing, said arm 10 having a hole therein to receive a coupling pin,and a pair of straps secured to said flanges and extending forwardlytherefrom, with their forward portions bent toward each other andsecured together to form a hitching tongue provided with a hole in linewith the hole in said hitching arm and adapted to receive the couplingpin; a buiier element slidably mounted on the bottom wall of saidhousing and projecting from the open front end thereof; compressionsprings, one on each side of said hitching tongue, interposed betweenthe front edges of said iianges and said buffer element and tending toproject said buffer element from said housing; and a locking bar carriedby said housing and cooperating with said 4buffer and draft elements tolimit movement of said buier element under both bui and draft andmovement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter underbuff being limited by engagement of said plate wtih said end sill.

JOHN E. GRAHAM.

